On June 2nd the world's longest unsupported ultra-distance bike race begins in Oregon on the west coast of America. The clock starts at 6am and stops for nothing until I reach Yorktown, Virginia, on the east coast. In between is 7,000km and 50km of elevation gain (that's half way to space!).

The race is totally unsupported and runs non-stop. The winning time is likely to be around 18 days and I'm not there to make up the numbers. 

This is only my second time fund-raising for charity - not something I undertake lightly - but it's also an extreme challenge I've set myself. This is like my previous Transcontinental Race and then an extra 3,000km. Like that race, the Trans Am (also known as TABR) will be played out live and 24/7. Each racer carries a GPS tracker which allows you to see the entire field on a map (www.trackleaders.com/transam18) at any time. I'll also be posting beautiful Instagram shots and stories (www.instagram.com/darren_franks) and badly-typed sweary tweets (www.twitter.com/darrenfranks) from the road. Following the race I'll provide the popular detailed write-ups through my blog www.theadventurecapitalist.wordpress.com (where you can catch up on the previous Transcontinental Race too). 

If you find any of this content entertaining, inspiring or useful I'd encourage you to make a contribution to Cancer Research UK here. More than that, share it with friends who would also enjoy it. During the Transcontinental I cannot tell you how much determination and energy your donations provided. When I got back a friend who is fighting testicular cancer told me "I'm alive thanks to people like you" and that was incredibly powerful. The funds we raise together have real impacts, like the dramatic improvement in survival rates for testicular cancer which means my buddy - and so many more - will win his battle. 

Why CRUK? I've been lucky to be spared any immediate contact with cancer thus far, but I've seen the devastation it has caused to my friends. It's a cruel disease and it's particularly gut-wrenching when it affects the young. 40% of cases are in people under 60. We are currently making enormous progress though and CRUK conducts pioneering research that's saving lives and working towards beating cancer.

Don't consider this a donation though. This is an investment in your family. As our life expectancy increases cancer is set to affect more of us. Current research suggests that, right now, 1 in 2 people will develop cancer at some point in their lives. Statistically that is you or your partner. It's one of your parents. It's half of your friends. Cancer affects us all but we can fight it. Please give generously.

Donating through JustGiving is simple, fast and totally secure. Your details are safe with JustGiving – they’ll never sell them on or send unwanted emails. Once you donate, they’ll send your money directly to the charity. So it’s the most efficient way to donate – saving time and cutting costs for the charity.